KrakatoaLocations from where sounds and explosions were heard on the 26th
and 27th of August 1883

Located
on Rakata Island, Krakatoa's eruption of 1883 was historically one
of the world's most catastrophic. Volcanic activity was most violent
during the 26th and 27th of August which resulted in the top of the
volcano collapsing, and all life in the island group being extinguished
by the enormous amounts of ash that had been expulsed into the air.
The region was plunged into darkness for almost three days, and red
and orange sunsets were experienced around world during the next year,
as were altered global temperatures. The eruption triggered tsunamis
which killed some 36,000 people in Java and Sumatra, and seismic waves
were recorded in South America and Hawaii. Afterwards, Krakatoa remained
quiet until 1927 when an eruption began to give rise to a new island
volcano subsequently named Anak Krakatau ('Child of Krakatoa').

Place[1]

Distance
from Krakatoa[2]

Notes

Java
(Indonesia)

Anjer

31

The sounds of the explosions were heard from the afternoon
of the 26th.

Reported by an English resident: 'The reports grew louder
and louder, until the ground shook sensibly. When evening
set in (26th), the detonations, far from diminishing, increased
in violence.'

Batavia

94

Reported by a Lloyd's agent at Batavia: 'On 26th, about 4
p.m., a series of detonations was heard; towards night they
grew louder; till in the early morning the reports and concussions
were simply deafening.'

Serang

48

The
loudest sounds were heard shortly after 10 a.m. on the 27th.

Buitenzorg

100

A
low rumbling sound heard at 1 p.m., 26th, increasing in intensity
soon afterwards, and continuing all through the night, with
occasional violent explosions.

Samarang

346

Sounds were heard from the evening of the 26th till the afternoon
of the 27th.

Carimon Java Island

355

Under the belief that a vessel was in distress, several native
boats were despatched to render assistance on the evening
of the 26th.

Near Toelong Agong, 100 miles from Sourabaya

about 400

Eyewitness Mr Edward St George: 'The noise sounded like great
guns being fired at irregular intervals, and it continued
all through the night, 26th—27th.'

Sourabaya (also on board the Sea Witch, ashore in
the bay)

507

The detonations were heard on the 26th and 27th so distinctly
that it appeared impossible they could have come from such
a distance as Krakatoa.

Probolingo

542

The sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Banjoe Wangi, Straits of Bali

616

The sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Yugya
Karts

357

The sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Sumatra
(Indonesia)

Telok Betong

44

The loudest report was at about 10 a.m., 27th.

Katimbang, north-east coast of Sunda Strait

24

'When it had become quite dark on the 26th, fearful detonations
were heard, like thunder and reports of guns.' The loudest
report was heard at about 10 a.m. on the 27th

Palembang

228

The aerial vibrations were so strong as to cause the walls
of houses to shake. The sounds were heard from the afternoon
of the 26th till the morning of the 27th.

Siak

519

The sounds were heard from the afternoon of the 26th till
11 a.m., 27th.

Deli

818

The sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Acheen

1,073

It was supposed that a fort was being attacked, and, in consequence,
the troops were put under arms

Kotta Radja

931

The sounds were not heard after the night of the 26th—27th.

Padang

512

'At 8.30 a.m., 27th, a heavy explosion, repeated five minutes
afterwards... During all this time a fearful noise was heard
from afar, which became stronger after 11 a.m.' The sounds
were first heard at 5 p.m., 26th.

Bencoolen

277

The sounds were heard from the afternoon of the 26th.

Kroë

134

The sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th. A report was heard
on the morning of the 28th also.

Celebes
(Indonesia)

Manado

1,435

The sounds are said to have been heard not only in the town,
but over the entire province in which it is situated (from
the evening of the 26th to the
27th).

Macassar

969

Two steamers were sent to sea on the 27th to ascertain the
cause of the reports. The sounds were heard over the whole
province.

Island of Lombock

790

The reports were heard in all parts of the island, as well
as in the adjoining one of Bali (26th-27th).

Island of Timor (Indonesia/East Timor)

1,351

The sounds were heard all over the island. A government steamer
was despatched to ascertain their cause (26th-27th).

Bangka/Banka
(Indonesia)

Minto

284

The detonations were most violent during the night of the
26th.

Lepa
Island

242

The
loudest reports were heard near mid-day on the 27th. It was
thought that a vessel was in distress.

Belitung/Billiton
(Indonesia)

Tanjong
Pandang

about
277

Loudest
shortly before noon on the 27th.

Straits
Settlements

Singapore
(Singapore)

522

Two
steamers were sent on the 27th to look for the vessel which
was supposed to be firing guns as signals of distress.

Selangore
(Malaysia)

715

The
sounds were heard from 4.30 p.m. 26th till 5 p.m., 27th.

Perak
(Malaysia)

770

The
sounds were thought to be distant salvos of artillery. Reports
were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Penang
(Malaysia)

868

At
11 a.m. 27th the sounds were mistaken for a salute from an American
corvette, which, however, had sailed four hours previously.

Siam
(Thailand)

Bangkok

1,413

The
reports were heard on the 27th, and are also said to have been
heard 100 miles in the interior.

Cochin
China (Vietnam)

Cape
St James

1,138

The
sounds were heard on the 27th.

Saigon

1,164

Borneo

Martapoera

684

First
heard on 26th.

Bandjermasin

666

First
heard on 26th.

Jampaga

583

The
sounds were heard on the 27th.

Soekadana

461

The
sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Pontianak

493

First
heard at 7 p.m., 26th; loudest at 11 a.m. 27th.

Labuan

1,037

The
sounds appear to have been heard only on the 27th.

Banguey
Island

1,235

Eyewitness
Commander Hon. Foley C. P. Vereker, R.N., aboard the H.M.S.
Magpie: 'The noise of the detonations caused by Mount
Krakatoa, resembling distant heavy cannonading, was distinctly
heard by us, and by the inhabitants of this coast as far as
Banguey Island, on August 27th.'

Elopura

1,210

'It
seemed as if heavy guns were being fired, at a distance of not
over four or five miles away' (27th).

St
Lucia Bay

1,116

Eyewitness
L. von Donop, North Borneo: 'The noise of the eruption was plainly
heard all over Borneo. The natives inland, who murdered poor
Witti, when they heard the noise, thought we were coming to
attack them from the east and west coasts, and bolted away from
their village.' (26th—27th).

Samarinda,
Koetei

911

The
sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Philippine
Islands (The Philippines)

Palawan

about
1,450

Eyewitness:
'The detonations were heard on the 27th, half-way up the Palawan
coast.'

Manila,
Luzon

1,804

The
sounds were imagined to be signals from a ship in distress,
and preparations were made to render assistance (27th).

New
Guinea (Papua New Guinea)

Salwatty
Island, North-west
coast

1,800

Eyewitness
Dr F. H. Guillemard, M.A., F.L.S.: 'The Rajah of Salwatty, whom
I met at the village of Samatu, told me that the noise of the
eruption had been audible there.' (No date given.)

Dorey,
Geelvink Bay

2,014

Eyewitness
Dr F. H. Guillemard, M.A., F.L.S.: 'The reports were heard on
the 27th by M. van Hasselt, residing at Dorey, and recorded
at the time in his diary. The natives reported to him that they
had heard similar sounds on the 26th. He described the sounds
as being like distant cannonading.'

Western
Australia (Australia)

Perth

1,902

Eyewitness
Staff-Commander Coghlan, R.N.: 'This coast has been visited
(27th) by ... sounds as of the firing of guns inland.'

Geraldton

1,675

At
Geraldton and at Cossack the meteorological observers reported
that sounds were heard on the 27th resembling heavy guns, the
reports at Geraldton being preceded by a rumbling noise. The
observer at Cossack says that similar reports were heard along
the coast from the Ashburton to the Sherlock rivers, and inland
as far as the Hammersley range.

Cossack

1,286

Victoria
Plains

about
1,700

Western
Australian, 4 September: 'People were startled by hearing
a series of loud reports, resembling those of artillery at a
distance in a north-westerly direction. The first sounds were
heard by a few persons at 11 p.m. on Sunday (26th), continuing
at irregular intervals till about 4 p.m. on Monday; sometimes
as many as three reports occurred in a minute, but generally
there was a few minutes’ interval.'

South
Australia (Australia)

Alice
Springs

2,233

Report
by Mr. Skinner: 'Two distinct reports, similar to the discharge
of a rifle, were heard on the morning of the 27th, and similar
sounds were heard at a sheep camp nine miles west of the station,
and also at Undoolga, 25 miles east.'

Undoolga

about
2,250

Daly
Waters

2,023

Report
by Mr. Kemp: 'On Sunday, the 26th, at midnight we were awakened
by an explosion resembling the blasting of a rock, which lasted
for a few minutes. Next morning, between 9.30 and 10 o'clock,
a similar noise, with slight vibration, was heard and felt,
continuing for 15 minutes. Men camped five miles south of Daly
Waters also heard it, and the noise was heard also at Elsey
Creek and other places on the overland telegraph.'

Elsey
Creek

2,003

Burma
(Myanmar)

Mergui

1,366

The
sounds were heard on the 26th and 27th.

Tavoy

1,478

'All
day on August the 27th unusual sounds were heard, resembling
the boom of guns. Thinking there might be a wreck or a ship
in distress, the Tavoy Superintendent sent out the police launch,
but they could see nothing.'

Nicobar
Islands (India)

1,299

Extract
from report by officer in charge: 'Extraordinary sounds were
heard, as of guns
firing' (26th—27th).

Andaman
Islands (India)

Port
Blair

1,500

Extract
from letter of Mr E. H. Man: 'At 9.30 p.m. on the 26th a report
was heard as of a distant signal gun. Steamer was sent round
the coast to search for the vessel supposed to be firing as
signals of distress. Similar sounds were heard at irregular
intervals during the two following days.'
Extract from port officer's report: 'Several reports were heard
in Port Blair, supposed to be from some ship in distress. Weather
between August the 27th and 29th very unsettled, and heavy rain
and wind prevailed.'

Ceylon
(Sri Lanka)

Dutch
Bay

2,058

The
sounds were heard from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 27th.

Hambantota

1,866

Eyewitness
Mr H. Parker: 'Reports heard by three persons from 7 a.m. on
the 26th, and by many persons during the 26th, on the night
of the 26th—27th, and during the 27th. The usual style
was a steady sequence of reports, and then a rapid succession
of them, ending, very often, in a loud burst of two or three,
or half a dozen, almost together, which was generally followed
by a lull. The intensity of the sounds varied greatly.'

Tissamaharama

about
1,870

North
Namona Koolie, Badulla

1,904

Heard
at noon on the 27th, and continued for half an hour. 'I thought
it might be some volcano in action out at sea, or else ships
firing heavy guns.'

Tumpalancholai
and Maha
Oya (on the Badulla road)

1,893

'Captain
Walker and Mr. Fielder were puzzled at various times during
the forenoon of the 27th, by hearing noises as if blasting was
going on, though there was nothing of the sort for a very considerable
distance, if anywhere in the district.'

Mulliyavalai

1,996

Report
by Mr S. Haughton, assistant government agent: 'The District
Mudaliyar reported that sounds were heard, as if cannon were
being fired, from midnight, August 26th, till noon, August 27th.
The sounds seemed to come from the east, and from no great distance.
The apparent proximity of the explosions reported from the Mulliyavalai
Pattu may have been due to the hilly nature of the country there.'

Rambodde

1,888

Sounds,
resembling distant guns, were heard.

Madulsima

1,902

At
first the sounds were thought to be those of guns fired at Trincomalee.
First heard on the 26th.

Batticaloa

1,888

Report
by Mr Elliott, assistant government agent: 'At about midnight,
26th, I heard about five or six times a noise as of a cannon,
at intervals of 15 minutes, towards the east. On the morning
of the 27th, too, about three times I noticed a noise similar
to that of the discharge of a cannon over the sea towards the
east.' From Signaller's report. 'The Sub-Collector states that
at about 6 p.m. on the evening of the 26th he heard a loud report,
as if a cannon was discharged down southward, which he and the
people near him thought to be thunder.'

Kalmunai

1,877

Report
by Mr Elliot: 'Mr Christie, of the Public Works Department,
told me he had heard loud explosions seawards that morning (27th),
and that, as they seemed like the discharge of heavy artillery,
he presumed some man-of-war was practising with her big guns
out of sight of land, as he could see no ships.'

Kokkulai

1,980

Sounds
as of firing of cannon at Trincomalee.

Chemmalai

1,980

Kotinalie
Valley

1,928

The
sounds were heard on the 27th.

Bogawantalawa

1,911

'The
sounds were heard here most distinctly. They were like blasting
on the Billhulloya side, and kept on all day, from 7.30 a.m.
till 4p.m.' (27th).

Galle

1,932

The
sounds were heard on the 27th.

Mannar

2,047

Report
by Mr Fowler, assistant government agent: 'Loud sounds, resembling
the report of distant cannon, were heard to the eastward on
the 27th.'

Kotaimunai

about
1,900

Report
by Mr Alfred Koch: 'I heard distinctly, at about 6 p.m. on the
26th (local time), a loud report, as if a cannon was discharged
down southward.'

Lunugala

1,889

'Like
heavy guns fired at sea in the direction of Hambantota on the
27th.'

Chagos
Islands (British Indian Ocean Territory)

Diego
Garcia

2,267

Eyewitness
M. Lecomte reported that dull but violent detonations were heard
between 10 and 11 am on the 27th, and it was believed that they
were signals from a vessel
in distress. Men were sent to various points on the island,
but they did not see anything.

Rodrigues
(Mauritius)

2,968

Report
by chief of police Mr James Wallis: 'Several times during the
night of the 26th—27th reports were heard coming from
the eastward, like the distant roars of heavy guns. These re
ports continued at intervals of between three and four hours,
until 3 p.m. on the 27th (5:48 p.m. local time at Krakatoa),
and the last two were heard in the direction of Oyster Bay and
Port Mathurie.'

Notes

1. Place name at the time of the eruption. Current name/location
shown in brackets.
2. English miles
Sources

Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopaedia
Britannica, 2018.

Symons, G.J. Eruption of Krakatoa, and Subsequent Phenomena.
Report of the Krakatoa Committee of the Royal Society. London:
Harrison and Sons, 1888.